Lovie once loved the Cowboys

CHICAGO – Great stuff all the way around today in the two Chicago papers, the Tribune and the Sun-Times.

The Tribune led off their “Bears Bits” section with an item about coach Lovie Smith’s long-time admiration of the Cowboys.

Smith grew up a Cowboys fan in Big Sandy, Texas.

“Bob Hayes and Roger Staubach are two of my all-time favorites,” Smith said. “I got a chance to meet Roger Staubach this past summer. Of course, it was a highlight for me.

“I grew up being a great Dallas Cowboys fan. Love the Bears now.”

The Sun-Times pointed out that cornerback Charles Tillman likely will go man-to-man with Terrell Owens. The Bears, of course, aren’t tipping their hand, but Tillman is bigger and more physical than the team’s other starting corner, Nathan Vasher.

Then there’s this: Tillman held another big receiver, Plaxico Burress, to just four catches for 48 yards last season in a blowout victory over the Giants.

 I flew into Chicago this morning and am still waiting to see my first fan wearing Bears gear. While Mrs. O and I strolled around the city this afternoon and evening, we saw Cubs jerseys, T-shirts and hats everywhere, but that was about it.

Speaking of the Cubs, it was fun to sit in the Billy Goat Tavern for lunch watching them play the Pirates on TV. For dinner, we ate at Geno’s East, another Chicago landmark, pigging out on deep-dish pizza (cheese and sausage, of course).

If you’ve got any suggestions for dinner Saturday night, send me a line at torsborn@express-news.net.